Arc 1 Chapter 6: Careful What you Ask for

“So… do you have anything to say for yourself?”

I look at the girl who was giving me a deathly gaze. I stuck my chest high and with a proud voice I replied,

“I regret nothing.”

“DON’T FEEL PROUD ABOUT IT!”

Artura instantly chopped me in the head. She then clutched her hand as a pink area began to form on it. She gave me an accusative stare as she slowly massaged her hand.

“You didn’t bother to contact me for a full month… A MONTH. What happens? You kidnap a fallen queen, got yourself involve with the Holy Asvarian Empire and destroyed one of the most influential organization in the kingdom. I mean, I can forgive you for destroying the organization, but getting involved with the Empire… ARE YOU NUTS?!”

“… In my defense, the queen wanted to come with me.”

“THAT’S NOT THE POINT!!”

I quietly sat on a seiza as she continued on ranting about treating girls delicately. What happened to being yelled for the empire or destroying the organization? Well, I guess this isn’t too bad. I mean, it could be worse.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but can I have some of your time my liege?”

Artura looked over to a girl. It was Sara. Like me, she was forced to come meet with the queen. Why? It’s because she had left her post. Apparently she was supposed to be punished for it, but Artura convinced the higher nobles that her daughter was taken. As a result, she was here mainly as another source of information to back up my claims.

“What is it Sara?”

“I…”

She looked over at me, her face was kind of flushed… Wait… Please don’t tell me. Before I can interject, she laid out a bombshell.

“I want to recede my position as commander of the Elite Guard’s.”

“…”

The room became quiet. I could tell the atmosphere was becoming awkward as the other officials present were also looking at Sara with a shocked expression. Shaking her head and slapping herself several times, Artura regained her composure and looked towards Sara, though you could see that a vein must have popped.

“W…why do you want to give up your position?”

“It’s because I’ve betrayed your majesties trust.”

“No you haven’t and you know it. Plus, I would have done the same as you.”

“But, the duty of a guard is to protect the queen, regardless of ones feelings. That’s why I believe that I’m not worthy of the position.”

“… just come out of it… The reason why you want to quit is because you want to follow him right?”

She gave out a tired look of annoyance as she pointed at me. Sara opened her mouth but no words came out. She then seemed to look smaller as the officials began looking at her in confusion. I could also feel Artura’s gaze. It was kind of painful. I really shouldn’t jinx myself like this. I sighed.

“Well… it’s true that she did kind of betray the position so it would be wise for her to quit.”

“But without her, the queen will be defenseless. As the kingdom’s Idol, she must be protected by the best of the best.”

“Who you calling an idol!”

Artura stared furiously at the official who sat back down on his chair. I sighed.

“Then, how about I give you another guard.”

“Who?”

“A summon.”

I smiled at her. She looked at me with wide eyes. Eyes that had disbelief, but at the same time hope.

“You do know that I’m a mage, not a summoner?”

“Yes, but do you honestly think I would be giving you this worlds summon. No, I’ll give you another one of my summons… though you’re going to have to earn her respect if you want her to fight for you.”

Her eyes piqued up in curiosity.

“Her? Are you talking about Lily?”

“No… I have another one, though I decided not to summon her right off the bat. She honestly doesn’t like being summoned too frequently.”

She thought about it for a moment.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

She stared at Sara.

“I release you from your duties. Go forth and enjoy a new life.”

Wow, she’s quick. She instantly fired her subordinate as soon as it’s beneficial to her. Truly a greedy little princess. Sara bowed.

“Thank you milady and Master…”

She pointed her look towards me. Everyone in the room sucked in their breath as they heard an unfamiliar word from Sara. As for me, I calmly looked at her.

“… I hope to be of good service to you.”

I laughed.

“Well, it’s not like I have any choice. I hope you’re prepared for a new life.”

She bowed. Now then, I looked back at Artura who was gazing at me with acknowledgement.

“You sure are a lady killer aren’t you?”

I instantly chopped her head. The other officials were surprised at this and began drawing their swords. To their surprise, Sara blocked the way.

“Master does this as a sign of friendship, so please sit back down and put away your swords.”

A strange aura could be felt as the officials began sweating. One by one, they began to sit back down. As for me and Artura, we were impervious to the situation as we continued talking.

“So… this summon. Who is she?”

“Well, to describe her… she’s just like you, but more mature.”

She gave out an approving sound as her eyes sparkled in excitement.

“Can we do it now?”

“Ahh… aren’t you… you know? Still talking about the organization, the empire and whatnot.”

“Meh… We’ll talk about it later. I want to meet my new guard first seeing as you stole the heart of my guard.”

I sighed. I could chop her head again, but… she really is stubborn.

“Alright, but you’re going to have to give me a sec. I need to change first before we can do the summon.”

She quickly nodded and told me to change in the changing room.

“I’ll be waiting at the plaza. You better hurry.”

“Alright, alright I will."

I was guided towards the guest room by a maid. It was a really fancy place. Yeah, my house really does me justice. A plain modern home is better than this over architected monstrosity. I told the maid to leave and that I will be guiding myself later on. She quickly left the premise as I checked the surrounding areas. Cost clear. Alright, this makes it easier for me to do.

“[Genus Transformation].”

I felt my body change as my view became smaller. My shoulders were also closer as I saw my entire frame become slender. In a matter of seconds, I managed to change into my female persona. The only downside to this spell is that I need to be a female to use it. Because of this, those scientist bastard decided to tamper with my genes and forcedly installed a circuit into my body. Well, it’s not like I’m complaining. In this form, I can actually do amazing healing magic with no restraint. The problem is, any other type of magic would give me a backlash. In other words, depending on my gender, I’m either good or bad with certain type of magic. I sighed as I found the summoning circuit and quickly made my way to the plaza. There, Artura was sitting on the fountain. She really is like a little girl, but her previous title as the sword princess tells me she’s probably capable of more.

“Hey Artura.”

She glanced over to me and was instantly on guard.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?”

She pulled out her sword as she slowly came out to me. I continued to smile as I approached her.

“Don’t get any closer. What’s your objective?”

“Why to help you summon of course.”

She looked at me with a blank expression.

“Bryan?”

“Yes.”

“… I must be hallucinating.”

She rubbed her eyes and looked at me again.

“Hey Bryan, do you have any spells that can get rid of hallucinations.”

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“Hmm… I have a couple, but I don’t think your hallucinating.”

“Hahahaha… that’s funny. No. Really? I must be hallucinating. I mean, you’re a tall big breasted woman with flowing red hair and piercing red eyes. Of course this is a hallucination, right?”

I laughed, though as a girl my laugh was more reserved.

“Don’t worry it’s me. I had to change to this form since most of my summoning magic will only work as a female.”

“Eh… I… didn’t know that?”

“Yeah, it’s because I never told you. Anyway, just believe that it’s me.”

Suddenly to my side, May appeared.

“Master, our guest are finally resting up. As for the prisoners, we are slowly working our way through them. What do you want to do with their commanders?”

“Have them come over here and make sure to bring guards.”

She gave a bow and instantly disappeared.

“That was?”

“A former assassin… no need to be concerned. Anyway, lets proceed with the summon.”

She instantly perked up, her excitement was showing. I began drawing symbols on the ground. First I had to make a circle that the familiar can fit in. After that, I had to make three sets of interlocking circles that had the corresponding letters Α, Ω, Θ. These letters symbolized the beginning, the end, and the present. This allows familiars to materialize permanently in the world of men if their masters choose. The only thing is, their magic would be downgraded to that of mankind like Lily’s was. Once that was finished, I quickly set to work in inscribing the small details of circuits that will guide the mana from one activation set to another.

“Hey Bryan… you know, I was wondering.”

“Yeah?”

“You said you weren’t going to fight the Demon king right?”

“Yeah.”

“You also said that you wanted to live a peaceful life right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then why is it that you’ve been working so hard lately… if you wanted a peaceful life, why go out and fight?”

“…”

I stayed silent as I continued working on the circle.

“Judging from your story, there’s a lot more here that I’m probably missing. As far as I know, we could probably be invaded at any moment. But you… you can probably just defend your one part of the island. So why is it your trying so hard to protect the entire kingdom?”

“… Hmm… I don’t know. Maybe because I’m able?”

“That still doesn’t make sense with your ‘peaceful life’ statement.”

“… well, I guess… It’s because it’s fun”

“Huh?”

She gave me a surprised look.

“I haven’t been this excited since the day I was born. Being part of a grand change, being part of an accepting society. For the first month I’ve stayed in this kingdom, I’ve learned. Not every human being is capable pain, fear and hatred. Love, happiness, sadness, friendship… this world is capable of so much more. My world didn’t really have those, though there were an occasional exception… I mean even Rose was…”

I stopped. Before I could remember, I instantly shook myself as I continued writing the inscriptions.

“Anyway, it’s been really fun. Sure there’s probably going to be pain and suffering, but this kingdom… I think it deserves to stand against the forces of others. Whether demons or other human kingdoms, I don’t care anymore. I’ll gladly fight to protect it… though I’ll probably save myself first when push comes to shove.”

I finally finished the inscription I was working on. I then looked back at Artura whose eyes were filled with tears.

“I never knew you felt that way. I’m so glad you’re happier… I forgive you for not visiting me the past month.”

She sniffled and I couldn’t help but give her an endearing smile.

“A doting mother on her child, how sweet.”

Another annoyance came into view as Lily whispered into my ears.

“Hey Catalea, what are you doing?”

“Summoning. I decided to give her me summon as a gift for taking her guard away.”

“Catalea?”

Artura looked at the both of us confused.

“Catalea’s my female name. We usually use it for the sake of public appearance.”

“Oh.”

“Now, back on the topic though. You took away her guard? Who?”

“Sara.”

Did I just see a vein popped?

“Are you making a Harem?”

“HUHHHH!!!! Whoa, what do you mean by that! I would nev…”

“Me, May, the queen, the fallen queen, your female students and now Sara. I mean, come on. Isn’t it obvious?”

She placed a hand on her waist as she gave me a look of annoyance. I thought about it for a moment. O shit she’s right. Why didn’t I see it before? Ugh… I need some male companions and quick. Ugh… no need to think about this right now.

“Anyway, let’s begin.”

“Hey don’t just change the subject!”

I ignored her as I began chanting.

“Somehow, I think I heard something troubling.”

Artura gave out a small statement as she stared at both of us. I glared at her, trying to say she’s not helping. I went back to the circle and began to intensify the mana consumption.

“From the heavens I call forth, the one who strikes fear into her opponents, the one they deemed worthy of the sword of power. May she answer this call and serve with utmost power. I SUMMON THEE, WIELDER OF EXCALIBUR!”

The circle began to light as the surroundings became brighter.

“I hear your call.”

A very powerful voice could be heard. It seems the summoning was a success… but something doesn’t feel right.

“Oye, oye, oye. That’s not Hilde your calling.”

I looked at Lily who seemed to look pale.

“Eh, what do you mean it’s not Hilde?”

“Exactly what I meant you moron. YOU DIDN’T SUMMON HILDE, YOU SUMMONED…”

I felt the mana explode as something landed at the middle of the circle. It was another Valkyrie. She had golden hair that reached to her shoulders and stunning blue eyes. She was wearing Valkyrian armor, but her appearance was much grander than Lily’s. A shield was on her side, but unlike lily’s, it seemed to be almost like mine. The only difference was her shield emitted mana. Her spear was the same. It was probably a plasma spear which was constantly surrounded by mana. As I studied her, I became more and more frightened at the fact of who I just summoned.

“Bryan… what have you done.”

I looked over at Artura who also had a pale look on her face.

“Mortals… why arth thou afraid? Eh… Lily, thou arth here too.”

The being in question only tilted her head to the side and smiled as she saw Lily. I couldn’t help but freak out as I remembered the paintings in the castle. Why? Well, that’s because Freyja, the patron goddess of this world’s religion, has arrived.

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Authors Note:

Hey guys. So a couple of decisions. First of all, I will add the genderbender tag. Why? it's because of the facts from above. I was thinking on several restrictions that I can place on him so he's not too op while still being op, and I was like. Why not make spells have requirements. One being gender, so theres that.

FYI: This chapter was suppose to be an info dump, but I had no idea how to start it without being too boring. Then I was like, why not just span it into different chapter and start it with a funny event right. So hence, this chapter was born. I hope you guys enjoyed this. I sure did... then again, that's probably a bias thing to say XD